Tides at Ocean Beach push currents - big ones. The currents at
the Gate are about 6 times greater than currents at Ocean
Beach, and null sideshore currents occur very close to the tide
changes. Sometimes you can enter a surf session one hour before
the tide change, drift a block one way, and then a block the
other way. To maximize wave counts it is necessary to
triangulate yourself and fight the sideshore - it is the only
way to stay on a peak. Once resistance becomes futile, it is
time to call it a session or get a longer board.